Afternoon Edition: 10 March 2026

The Afternoon Edition of News Fix for 10 March 2026, straight from the Newstalk ZB newsroom - bringing you everything you need to know in news, politics, business, entertainment and sport.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:02):
Good afternoon. I'm Rayleen Ramsay. This is your afternoon news
fix for Tuesday, the tenth of March. The government's turning
a spotlight on Chris Hipkins over newly released COVID inquiry findings.
The Royal Commission's second phase reports found overall New Zealand
responded well but highlighted concerns, including the length of Auckland's lockdown.

(00:25):
Health Minister Simon Brown says it shows the previous government
extended the Auckland lockdown in spite of official advice saying
it was safe to lift.

Speaker 2 (00:34):
When Chris Hopkins stood up and said that he was
following public health advice on some occasions, he wasn't.

Speaker 1 (00:42):
But Chris Hopkins, says, the Royal Commission's finding on this
point is based on old advice which was revised by
the Director General of Health in the relevant Cabinet meeting.
The Director General then attended the press conference and spoke
to the advice, so that bit is missing from the
Royal Commission because it was oral advice, not written advice.
But we absolutely followed the public health advice. Former Prime

(01:02):
Minister Dame CINDERA durn says the findings gel with the
first report showing they got lots right with areas to
improve New Zealand First leader Winston Peters claims a public
perception of bias in both phases of the inquiry risks
the health sector's reputation today. There's a serious lack of
confidence across New Zealand now health system and its processes

(01:24):
as a result. Maria men Or Kappa Knyi's back in
the fold of Tapati Mali, but another expelled MP isn't
Cappakinghi has today won a High Court challenge against her expulsion,
just as Paul Radditch says it reached the party constitution
and tikanga and ordered she be reinstated. Thakuta Ferris was

(01:44):
also expelled but didn't challenge it. CO leader Rawdiwaititi believes
he doesn't want to return. Is very quite clear that
he'd be running as an independent hitting into this next
selection and I wish him more the lucky President Donald
Trump claims Irana intended to take over the Middle East,
as he announcers the war launched by the US and
Israel will be over pretty quickly. International estimates show more

(02:07):
than seventeen hundred have been killed, the majority in Iran
and Lebanon. Trump says Around's missile capability is at ten
percent and its navy, air force and communications are largely destroyed.
He says they'll have done enough when Around's nuclear ambitions
are gone.

Speaker 2 (02:23):
When basically I can see that they will no longer
have any capacity whatsot for developing weaponry that could be
used against the United States, Israel or any of our allies.

Speaker 1 (02:36):
A man who broke into a Dunedin flat and violated
a young woman will serve an open ended prison sentence.
Keith Andrew wix Ken's attacked the victim in February last year.
He was also jailed in twenty thirteen for child sexual offenses,
just as Melanie Harland has ordered a minimum seven years
and three months before he can go before the parole board.

(03:00):
Two Sportzag Lomax expects to be an outside back for
the Western Force as the former New South Wales origin
rep trades the NRL for Super Rugby. Lomax played on
the wing and center in League and says Force coach
Simon cron reckons he'll be a fullback or wing. Crusader's
coach Rob Penny and says it's not panic stations as

(03:22):
they try to dig their way out of a one win,
three loss start. To Super Rugby. Darts over Rory McElroy's
ability to defend his title at this week's Players Championship
following a back injury, he's delayed his arrival at TPC Sawgrass.
That is your latest news fix. We'll be back with
the next update tomorrow morning from the News Talk z

(03:44):
B news room